Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor Fly Reel Review
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By:
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admin
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Mood:
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- Fly Fishing Reel Reviews
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Date:
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Feb 08, 2010
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Music:
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None
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Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor Fly Fishing Reels Review
There comes a point in every fly fisherman's progressive career that the need for an above average fly reel presents itself. During the early stages of learning the sport, any old reel will do while the basics are learned. In the rare cases when an inferior reel is actually the cause of a lost fish, most new fly anglers will not make the connection. As a beginner evolves into a seasoned fly fisherman, there will inevitably be more frequent encounters with really big fish. The line between success and miserable failure is very fine, so it pays to have every possible advantage.
Large arbor fly reels came on the fly fishing scene in a major way about fifteen years ago. At first, such reels were high priced and more of a novelty. Once it became clear that a larger arbor offered distinct advantages over the more traditional small arbor designs, a trickle of reasonably priced models have come on the market. Now it is possible for almost anyone to afford the benefits that go along with fishing a large arbor reel.
Although there are less expensive alternatives, the Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor fly reels are a mid-priced product that performs extremely well under pressure. I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of Orvis gear, but this reel has won a place in my heart. The arbor is really large, which can be cumbersome at times, but overall, the speed of the line pickup will help anglers stay connected with large fish.
I can remember that first time when the Battenkill large arbor reel helped me land a fish that would have been lost if I was using a reel with a smaller arbor. I was pursuing large, but spooky trout on a famous Western river. After hours of frustration, I finally coaxed a pig into slurping my dry. I really wanted to land this fish, so my nerves started kicking in after the adrenaline rush died. Because these fish are notoriously line shy, I was using 6x tippet. Whenever the fish made a long run, the drag on the Battenkill engaged smoothly, and I was able to remain on the reel several times when the large rainbow came right towards me.
After landing that special fish in my brodin ghost net, I stood still in the water and reflected on the experience. All of my equipment functioned as needed. The Orvis Battenkill allowed me to remain in constant contact with the trout, and the reel passed a key test in protecting light tippet. A large arbor reel is a necessary tool if you want to have the best chance of landing big fish consistently. The Battenkill is as good a model as any with respect to function and value.
Also check out the Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor reel.
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